Our verdict
Is AATU Free Run Chicken a good dog food?
We score it 75/100 (Good). This reflects the ingredient quality, composition and label transparency of the recipe as declared on the label.
Complete extruded dry food for dogs of all life stages, with deboned chicken, dried chicken protein and sweet potatoes as the main ingredients.
Who is this food for?
Suits
- Labelled by the manufacturer for all lifestages
- Grain-free: no grain ingredients listed
- Doesn't list beef, turkey, lamb, venison, pork, duck as ingredients
Consider something else if:
- Your dog avoids chicken: the label lists deboned chicken
- Your dog avoids fish: the label lists salmon oil
- You want a single-protein recipe: this one lists more than one animal protein
These points are derived from declared ingredients and analysis, not a substitute for veterinary advice. If your dog has a diagnosed condition, food choice is a medical nutrition decision: speak to your vet. Find foods that fit your dog.
Nutrition and feedingProtein 32% · Fat 18%
Typical analysis (as fed)
| Nutrient | As fed |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32% |
| Fat | 18% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Ash | 7.60% |
| Moisture | 8% |
| Omega-3 fatty acids | 0.40% |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | 3.50% |
Additives & feeding info
Additives declared on the label
Nutritional additives
Vitamin A 18000 IU; Vitamin D3 2100 IU; Vitamin E 200 mg; L-Carnitine 200 mg; Zinc 118 mg; Iron 60 mg; Copper 7 mg; Manganese 6 mg; Iodine 1.5 mg
Ingredients (31)20% of the recipe is estimated
Estimated composition
- meat 81.7%
- veg 14.6%
- carb 1.6%
- oil 0.8%
- fibre 0.8%
- supplement 0.5%
| # | As declared | Matched | Label reading | Declared % | Est. % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50% Freshly Prepared Deboned Chicken | Deboned Chicken | meat · good | 50 | 50.0 |
| 2 | 30% Dried Chicken | Dried chicken protein | meat · good | 30 | 30.0 |
| 3 | Sweet Potato | Sweet Potatoes | carb · good | - | 0.9 |
| 4 | Chickpeas | Chickpeas | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 5 | Peas | Peas | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 6 | Lucerne | Alfalfa | veg · good | - | 0.9 |
| 7 | Chicken Gravy | Chicken | meat · medium | - | 0.8 |
| 8 | Salmon Oil | Salmon Oil | oil · good | - | 0.8 |
| 9 | Whole Egg | Egg | meat · good | - | 0.8 |
| 10 | Cellulose | Cellulose | fibre · medium | - | 0.8 |
| 11 | Apple | Apples | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
| 12 | Carrot | Carrots | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
| 13 | Tomato | Tomato | veg · good | - | 0.8 |
| 14 | Chicory | Chicory | veg · good | - | 0.7 |
| 15 | Tapioca | Tapioca | carb · medium | - | 0.7 |
| 16 | Pear | Pears | veg · good | - | 0.7 |
| 17 | Cranberry | Cranberries | veg · good | - | 0.7 |
| 18 | Bluebery | Blueberries | veg · good | - | 0.7 |
| 19 | Mulberry | Mulberry | veg · good | - | 0.7 |
| 20 | Orange | Orange | veg · medium | - | 0.6 |
| 21 | Bilberry | Bilberries | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 22 | Cowberry | Lingonberries | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 23 | Parsley | Parsley | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 24 | Peppermint | Peppermint | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 25 | Spirulina | Spirulina | veg · good | - | 0.6 |
| 26 | Seaweed | Seaweed | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 27 | Oregano | Oregano | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 28 | Sage | Sage | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 29 | Marjoram | Marjoram | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 30 | Thyme | Thyme | veg · good | - | 0.5 |
| 31 | Yucca Schidigera Extract | Yucca Schidigera | supplement · good | - | 0.5 |
- 1. 50% Freshly Prepared Deboned Chicken50% declared50.0% estimated
- 2. 30% Dried Chicken30% declared30.0% estimated
- 3. Sweet Potato0.9% estimated
- 4. Chickpeas0.9% estimated
- 5. Peas0.9% estimated
- 6. Lucerne0.9% estimated
- 7. Chicken Gravy0.8% estimated
- 8. Salmon Oil0.8% estimated
- 9. Whole Egg0.8% estimated
- 10. Cellulose0.8% estimated
- 11. Apple0.8% estimated
- 12. Carrot0.8% estimated
- 13. Tomato0.8% estimated
- 14. Chicory0.7% estimated
- 15. Tapioca0.7% estimated
- 16. Pear0.7% estimated
- 17. Cranberry0.7% estimated
- 18. Bluebery0.7% estimated
- 19. Mulberry0.7% estimated
- 20. Orange0.6% estimated
- 21. Bilberry0.6% estimated
- 22. Cowberry0.6% estimated
- 23. Parsley0.6% estimated
- 24. Peppermint0.6% estimated
- 25. Spirulina0.6% estimated
- 26. Seaweed0.5% estimated
- 27. Oregano0.5% estimated
- 28. Sage0.5% estimated
- 29. Marjoram0.5% estimated
- 30. Thyme0.5% estimated
- 31. Yucca Schidigera Extract0.5% estimated
Trust and sourceNo recalls recorded in our database · checked 2026-08-22
Brand and contact: AATU
- Website
- https://aatu.co.uk/
- Address
- Dalton Airfield, Topcliffe, Thirsk, North Yorkshire YO7 3HE
- Contact page
- aatu.co.uk
Trust and provenance
- Recall history
- No recalls recorded in our database
- Label data last checked
- 2026-08-22
- Scored with
- Model v3 (methodology)
- Product page
- aatu.co.uk
Recall history is presentation-only and never affects the score. Dates are when we recorded the data, not when the manufacturer last changed the recipe.
Brand and retailer reviews
External platform ratings are not scores for this individual recipe.
Trustpilot: 4.7/5 · 1,942 reviews
Spotted a mistake in this listing? Report it here and we'll take a look.
Score details and methodologyCalculations, history and evidence
Recipe: how the 1-100 score is calculated
Why this score?
The overall score is 75 out of 100. The meat content contributed +8.4 points and the overall quality of the ingredient list contributed +8 points, both lifting the result. The processing format reduced the score by -6.7 points, while being labelled nutritionally complete added +2.3 points.
Scored with model v3 on 2026-10-25. Each component is the feature value for this product multiplied by the model's published coefficient.
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.9 | 9.191 | +8.02 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 87.9% | 0.096 | +8.44 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 0.9% | -0.115 | -0.10 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 1.7% | -0.092 | -0.16 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 6.4% | -0.005 | -0.03 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 0.9% | -0.012 | -0.01 |
| Undeclared quantities | 20.0% | -0.106 | -2.11 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
Show all 40 components
| Component | Input | Coefficient | Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base score | - | 30.909 | +30.91 |
| Average ingredient quality | 0.9 | 9.191 | +8.02 |
| Meat share of dry matter | 87.9% | 0.096 | +8.44 |
| Carb share of dry matter | 0.9% | -0.115 | -0.10 |
| Oil share of dry matter | 1.7% | -0.092 | -0.16 |
| Vegetable share of dry matter | 6.4% | -0.005 | -0.03 |
| Additive share of dry matter | 0.0% | 0.163 | +0.00 |
| Supplement share of dry matter | 0.9% | -0.012 | -0.01 |
| Other share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.375 | +0.00 |
| Unrecognised share of dry matter | 0.0% | -0.027 | +0.00 |
| Recipe graded poor | 0.0% | -0.065 | +0.00 |
| Poor-quality meat in recipe | 0.0% | -0.179 | +0.00 |
| Number of poor ingredients | 0 | -0.876 | +0.00 |
| Largest single poor ingredient | 0.0% | 0.060 | +0.00 |
| Undeclared quantities | 20.0% | -0.106 | -2.11 |
| Prints ingredient percentages | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Complete diet | yes | 2.294 | +2.29 |
| Frozen or chilled fresh | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| High meat (30%+ of dry matter) | yes | 0.707 | +0.71 |
| Low meat (under 10% of dry matter) | no | -3.158 | +0.00 |
| High carb and low meat | no | -1.180 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × printed percentages | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Meat share × fresh | 0.0 | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Fresh × high meat | 0.0 | 11.084 | +0.00 |
| Additive penalty | 0.00 | 0.222 | +0.00 |
| Processing multiplier | 0.98 | 33.786 | +33.11 |
| Processing: Raw | no | -0.054 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Chilled | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Frozen | no | -2.354 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Refrigerated | no | 0.000 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Fresh Shelf | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Freeze Dried | no | 6.629 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Air Dried | no | 6.331 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Cold Pressed | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Baked | no | -6.713 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Extruded | yes | -6.713 | -6.71 |
| Processing: Dry Semi Moist | no | -6.174 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Dry Muesli | no | -10.146 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Pate | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
| Processing: Wet Chunks | no | -0.672 | +0.00 |
- Processing-type offset
- +0.02
- Additives declared on label
- +1 transparency bonus
- Subtotal
- 75.4
- Final score
- 75/100
Contributions are rounded to two decimals, so they may not sum exactly to the subtotal. The full coefficient table is published on the methodology page.
Score history across model versions
The score shown above is always computed with the latest published model. Earlier scores are kept for the record and are never edited or deleted; a scoring change ships as a new model version with a public write-up on the methodology page.
Nutritional: declared analysis vs reference ranges
How the declared analysis compares with FEDIAF reference ranges for adult dogs. The label prints as-fed values; we convert to a dry-matter basis before scoring, and the bands are dry-matter ranges. Scores rise to 100 at the band midpoint: the reference is adequacy, not maximisation. Nutrients with a published upper limit taper again above it; fat is policed through calorie density rather than a direct penalty.
| Nutrient | As fed (label) | Dry matter (scored) | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein | 32 | 34.8 (band 18 to 40%) | 100 |
| Fat | 18 | 19.6 (band 5.5 to 20%) | 100 |
| Fibre | 2 | 2.2 (band 0.5 to 5%) | 92.3 |
| Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3) | - | - | 100 |
Omega fatty acids (omega-6 and omega-3): scored as the mean of its declared components (omega-6 100). The FEDIAF minimum for omega-6 is linoleic acid specifically.
Scored over 4 declared nutrients (combined weight 60); undeclared nutrients do not affect the score.
Declared fortification: 9 nutritional additives on the label
- Vitamin A 18000 IU
- Vitamin D3 2100 IU
- Vitamin E 200 mg
- L-Carnitine 200 mg
- Zinc 118 mg
- Iron 60 mg
- Copper 7 mg
- Manganese 6 mg
- Iodine 1.5 mg
Medium confidence: the full five-part analysis is on file; where moisture was not declared it was estimated from the food type.
This measures agreement with published reference ranges, not suitability for an individual dog. For medical conditions, follow veterinary guidance.
Transparency: what the label discloses
How much the manufacturer discloses, measured against the FEDIAF Code of Good Labelling Practice and Regulation 767/2009. Mandatory items dominate the weighting.
| Item | Points |
|---|---|
| Ingredient list on the label (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Printed percentages on the label (80% of the recipe mass) (voluntary) | 16/20 |
| Analytical constituents declared (mandatory) | 15/15 |
| Additives declared (mandatory) | 5/10 |
| Energy value declared (voluntary) - not on file | 0/5 |
| Complete/complementary designation (mandatory) | 5/5 |
| Feeding guidance given (mandatory) - not on file | 0/10 |
| Manufacturer identity and address (mandatory) | 10/10 |
| Country of manufacture stated (voluntary) | 10/10 |
| Batch and date labelling (mandatory) - not on file | 0/5 |
Capped at 60: mandatory items missing (Feeding guidance given, Batch and date labelling).
Safety: recall history
Recall and safety-notice history, time-decayed. This dimension is shown alongside the score and never feeds the headline number.
No recalls recorded in our database.
See all current recalls we track.
Evidence: what the brand claims, and what supports it
The claims made on the pack and product page, checked against the declared label. We record claims as stated; "consistent" means our stored label data supports the claim, "contradicted" means it conflicts with it. Functional claims are recorded but never scored.
50/100 · limited — 2 checkable claims: 1 consistent, 1 contradicted.
Contradicted by the label
- "80% single source, free run chicken with 20% Superfood Blend™" — the declared label says otherwise on single protein.
Consistent with the label
- "0% Grains, Gluten & White Potato" — supported by the declared grain-free data.
10 further claims on file that we cannot check against the label.
Limited: at least one claim contradicts the declared label, or a recent upheld ASA ruling applies.
| Claim | Type | Check | Substantiation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre and probiotics to support your dog’s natural and healthy gut microbiome (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Our grain free recipes are ideal for pets with sensitive digestion, ensuring every meal is gentle yet nourishing. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| high-quality meat or fish, to create a protein-rich diet that supports lean muscle mass and provides the energy your pet needs (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins, fibre, and antioxidants that support your dog’s immune system, digestion, and overall health. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| They also provide a low-fat, nutrient-rich energy source that promotes a healthy coat, heart, and digestion. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| blueberries support cognitive health and are a great source of dietary fibre, which aids digestion and helps regulate bowel movements. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Green peas are a healthy, low-calorie vegetable, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fibre that support digestion, immunity, and overall health. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Sage has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties which are a potent anti-inflammatory compound. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| Rosehip is packed with Vitamin C and antioxidants, supporting your dog’s immune system, promoting joint health, and enhancing skin and coat condition. (on page) | Functional | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
| 0% Grains, Gluten & White Potato (on pack) | Free-from | consistent | Manufacturer assertion |
| 80% single source, free run chicken with 20% Superfood Blend™ (on page) | Content | contradicted | Manufacturer assertion |
| 80% Free Run Chicken 20% Superfood Blend™ (on pack) | Content | not checkable | Manufacturer assertion |
The full scoring method is published. See the methodology for exactly how the headline score and each dimension are calculated.
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